Broken - Part 8a of the Mine verse (Jensen/Jared, NC-17)
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Finally, I've got around to updating 'Mine' verse and I have to apologize for the split over two parts because LJ is being a little bitch, and despite this being around my normal length - it won't let me post in one
Title: Broken (Part 8 of the 'MINE' verse.)
Description: NC-17, AU. Dark!Fic. Set in a future where humans are kept as slaves by genetically superior alphas. Alpha Jensen/Slave Jared. Jensen has a dinner party. Jared has a breakdown. Set after Jared's visit to the vet in 'Perfect'.
Beta’d by the marvelous sylsdarkplace and meus_venator . Any mistakes remain my own.
Wordcount: ~8K
Warnings: Dark!fic, Institutionalized slavery (with all the consent issues that come with it), explicit sexual situations, animal traits, knotting, D/s, s/m , spanking, blink-and-you-miss-it bestiality, body modification, self lubrication.
Disclaimer: This is fiction, pure fantasy folks. Nobody here belongs to me and they’re not likely to get in my van for candy any time soon.
Banner: The gorgeous banner has been made by meus_venator . There is a whole amazing set for the verse in the art post here. Go tell her how wonderful it is!
Lights were dimmed, and the reflection of fire in the hearth created dark shadows and golden flicker. Ice clinked in glasses, and the murmur of business talk gave way to gossip and laughter. Soft music played in the background, and the smell of garlic chicken risotto and chocolate truffles lingered in the air. Jared could almost imagine the taste on his fuzzy, dry tongue. There were remnants that scattered discarded and sticky on his back, but the food was not for him.
Jared knew he looked good, and he was performing well, but his elbows ached with the strain of hours of statue-stiff service, and his back itched where ice melted and dripped down crystal glasses, onto his skin. Jared thought a week of light duties, and little discipline had made him lazy. Still, he kept his pose, and he was admired by several of his Master's guests, even if they did compliment the rarity of a real fire more. There were no treats or kind words from Jensen, who had barely been near since he had fastened the clasp of Jared's cock chain
His Master had been strict with the advice that the vet had given after Jared's surgery. It had been seven days without discipline, with fresh juices, long lie-ins and learning how to dress and walk correctly. Jared didn't understand how Jensen could cope without his pet’s service. He felt antsy and needy, and had been close to disobedience, more than once, just longing to feel the lash of a whip against his skin. He hated being taller than his Master when he walked, resting in bed made him bored and sweaty, and clothes were constricting.
Instead of disciplining Jared when he groused and exaggerated his discomfort, Jensen had backed off and left him alone for longer and longer periods.
Jared knew he should feel like a princess at the end of a fairytale, and he couldn't work out why the luxury he had longed for all his life, felt so terrible.
On the day after his operation, Jared had woken groggily in a huge cozy bed, in a proper bedroom.
Fresh white drapes rustled in a fine breeze, and Jensen laughed and kissed him softly on the lips while he still struggled to focus his eyes.
Gen brought Jared's kibble porridge to Jensen, in bed, and showed off her nipple bars.
“She looks amazing with those, doesn't she Jared?”
Gen beamed at their Master. “Steve managed to prune the roses without his fingers getting scratched, and Mike says he's toastie-hot with his hat on. He wears it all the time. Jody has found some plain napkins to embroider for your dinner party on Friday.”
Jensen laughed, “Well that sounds wonderful. Now all we need is for Jared to recover, and be my centerpiece. How about that, Jared?”
“Dinner party, Master?” he managed to ask. He felt dizzy and disoriented, and he wasn't sure what day or time it was. He squinted around the strange room in confusion.
Jensen propped Jared half-sitting, against his chest. “It's okay, Sweetie. You're going to be a bit muddled. I did tell you. Do you remember? I have conceded to my nagging publisher, and organized a dinner party, and I had Steve prepare this bedroom, to better care for you.”
“Mm,” Jared agreed, even if he really didn't remember. He accepted a puppy bottle of prune juice and meds, which Jensen tipped to his mouth and had him suckle, while stroking his hair.
“Vet says you have to keep regular, and be medicated for the pain,” Jensen explained. “You're not to get out of bed unless someone is here to help you.”
Jared put his hands up to hold his bottle, but his Master slapped them away sternly. “No, Sweetie. I didn't give it to you.”
Jared braced himself for some form of punishment but none was given.
Jensen spooned porridge into Jared's mouth, until the bowl was empty, and wiped his slave's lips, then had the tray removed by Mike. He dressed and left to work in the library, leaving Jared alone.
The comfort of staying in the bed and being waited on grew stale as the day wore on. Jared was lonely, worthless and restless, and he found himself longing for the pain that his meds disguised, but each dose was given in the puppy bottle, by Jensen, to be suckled until it was finished.
Time passed tortuously slowly, and when Jared was finally allowed to the library with his Master, it only reminded him of all the ways he was unable to serve him.
Jared huffed. He had to pull himself together. He was thinking like a spoiled brat.
He saw Genevieve's naked and decorated toes pass by, and heard her soft giggles. Somebody took refreshments from her tray with the slide of glass over metal and gruff thanks, but Jared was on his hands and knees, with his back perfectly straight. His head dipped down between his shoulders, and he couldn't see it.
A cool, round tumbler settled at the base of Jared's naked spine. Salt-gritty nuts fell and rolled down his ribs, chased by fingers which trailed and then lingered to pinch his ass. A drink was lifted from his shoulder, and someone pressed sharp fingernails into his flesh, just to admire the half-moon marks they made. All around Jared, guests engaged in conversation, without a care for the pet who served faithfully as their table.
The evening progressed without words or touch from his Master. Jared checked his poise constantly, worried that he had displeased Jensen.
Abandoned drinks burned icy-cold circles into his back, and the satisfying pain of cramped muscles was accompanied by the ever increasing torture of the jeweled silver plug, which fixed his decorated cock to the floor by a delicate chain. Every twitch or sway of Jared's body was sweet torture. It should have been a thrill, but instead he felt exposed, and crowded. The rough handling of strangers made him long for his master's touch, and the bustle made him appreciate the usual quiet of their house, where a single footstep could easily be identified back to its maker.
Jared's reverie was broken by the drag of fingertips through his hair, and a cheerful query,
"How'ya doin' buddy?”
Master Christian crouched in front of him, and tilted Jared's chin, so he could make eye-contact. He continued the soothing caress of Jared's hair. “I think your Master has been distracted. Have you had anything to drink?”
Jared wasn't permitted to speak. He turned his eyes down, to look at the floor. He felt the cold drinks being lifted from his back, and Christian's other hand rubbed warmth into the flesh where they had been.
"Okay, then.” Christian placed a glass of candy-bright liquor by Jared's lips. “Drink!”
Jared's eyes widened. Jensen sometimes hand-fed him in private, but taking a guest's food or drink, was unheard of. Then again, refusing a direct order at a public event was gross disobedience. The conflict confused him, and the unexpected kindness in Master Christian's offer confused him even more. He was startled by the single tear that dripped over his lashes.
"Jared. It tastes of chocolate and raspberries. I know you have a sweet tooth. All these alphas are only interested in themselves, and the money they can make from Jensen's research. You amused them for the first ten minutes of the evening, and now they've moved on. Live a little. It will relax you.”
Jared resisted the sweet smell of the drink. He remained completely still. He was a good pet, and he had been given a task. His eyes became moist and spilled salty drops which rolled down to his lips and jaw.
"Shit!” Master Christian panicked, “Jared, I didn't mean to upset you. You can't cry here and now.” Of course he couldn't cry without permission. Jared knew it. It had been instilled in him since before he could walk. The knowledge didn't stop the flow, and Christian's obvious concern seemed to make it worse.
Christian's hands cradled his face and wiped his tears. Jared moved into the touch, and whimpered as the short chain on his cock plug pulled and jarred every nerve with overwhelming sensation. His breath shortened and his heart jack-rabbited against his ribs.
“That's it! I called in to save Jensen from boredom, but he can suffer a little. Hang on. Act natural, for a few minutes.”
A hysterical giggle threatened to burst through Jared's lips, because, 'act natural', when he was kneeling as a table in a crowded room, and chained to the floor by his dick, was legitimately funny.
Christian moved away, contact was lost, and Jared let his defenses kick in. He slipped into a haze, with his mind floating somewhere above his body. It didn't stop the steady rain of teardrops, but he wouldn't acknowledge them.
“C'mon.” Jared startled at Master Christian's return.
There was the click of his cock chain being unclasped, and a snick of a leash on Jared';s collar.
"Heel, Jared.” Christian tugged on the leash, and Jared resisted.
“Hey, where's my drink? Where are you taking the pet? He's got a red ribbon,” a strange voice cut in.
“Pet walker,” snapped Christian, and pulled harder, giving a little shout, “Hey, Jensen, sorry I'm late, I'll just carry on, shall I?”
“Chris? Em, yeah, fine. You go ahead.” Jensen's reply, from the other side of the room, was puzzled but dismissive.
Christian tugged Jared's leash again, and leaned in, to hiss in his ear, “Move! Do you want them to see you cry?”
Jared crawled to heel in a moment. Pain shot through stiff limbs in protest at his sudden movement, but whatever the pain, he had to get out before he ruined his Master's reputation with his shameful failure. His nose was beginning to run and the tears wouldn't stop.
Master Christian took control. He found Jody in the hall. “Is my usual room free, Jody?”
Jody looked down at Jared and back up at Christian, with evident concern, and nervously touched the red ribbon on her collar. She spoke up with a tremble. “What?...but Master Jensen didn't say you were coming... It is free, Sir. Of course, Master Christian, but the pet has a red ribbon.”
Christian glared at her. “I'm not going to play with Jensen's toy. Jared is having a time-out. He needs a safe space.” The words were genuine, spoken with a comforting hand on Jared's head.
Jared gulped back a sob. His task hadn't been demanding, and he had failed completely. He hung his head in shame, unable to meet Jody's eyes. He remembered words that Master Jensen's father had spoken, “Padaleckis break more often than others.”
Jared was a Padalecki. He thought he might have really broken this time, and after Jensen had spent so much time and money on him, it was the worst sort of failure.
“Returned! Refunded! Useless! Only good for the dogs, and his parts.” Their trainer flicked his whip and paced, still furious, even after hours of the pet's torture. Jared's legs cramped as he knelt but he dared not move or make a sound. He would be a proper Padalecki and make his owners proud. He wouldn't fail and be returned, like Kieran.
The entire kennel watched the punishment. Jared didn't close his eyes when they tied the defective pet ass up, over a low bench, and brought the hounds in, straining against their chains, and snarling to get to a mate. It wasn't the first time he'd seen what happened to pets that had to be refunded.
Jared didn't make a sound when the fight left Kieran's eyes. The boy's mouth closed as his silent pleas ceased, but a huge guard-hound continued to rut into his ass, the knot pumping into his ruined, sloppy hole. Blood and dog come oozed down slim, pale legs and congealed on the floor under the reject.
When it was done, before the pet's heart could stop and render him entirely worthless, Jared helped to lift him into the knacker's van. Kieran's remarkable hazel eyes opened, and his hand squeezed Jared's with forefinger and thumb, the kennel-mates' code for, “It's okay.”
Jared wondered if Kieran's eyes would be the first organs they scooped from him, and whether any part of his essence would remain in the alpha who took his heart.
Jared thought he finally understood his kennel mate's calm acceptance. Jared didn't deserve a fast bullet to end him. Jensen had spent considerable sums of money on his purchase and his surgery, and he should have the chance to recover some of it. Jared would be sold for organ harvesting or labor, and even though it terrified him, he would go quietly.
Suddenly weak, and shaking violently, Jared leaned into Master Christian's solidity.
"Shit! Oh, fuck! Hang in there, sweetheart. Are you sick?”
Jared shook his head, “No, Master,” he said with a snuffle.
Christian smoothed Jared's trembling shoulder. “Jody, make up a hot water bottle, bring blankets, and fetch soft-wide wrist cuffs from Jensen's room.”
Christian's keys rattled, as he threw them to Jody, “Theresa is in my car, I wasn't going to stop. One of you unlock her, and send her up to me. She won't be any trouble.”
Jody looked to the reception rooms, and back to Christian, in a dilemma, “Master Christian, the guests...” Jody had been given duties, and leaving her post, to help Christian, put her in jeopardy.
"You won't be reprimanded Jody, not if Jensen wants to keep our friendship,” Christian practically spat the words.
"Yes, Master Christian.” She curtsied before turning, and dashed to perform the new tasks.
Jared slipped in and out of a teary haze as he was coaxed upstairs and into Christian's room. He tried to kneel, to beg Master Christian's forgiveness, but he was pulled up and sat on the edge of a bouncy wide bed. Christian had him hug a hot-water bottle into his belly, wrapped him with a blanket and then his arms engulfed Jared in a tight hug, so his head rested on Christian's shoulder. Jared sobbed in earnest; with ugly heaving breaths and wet snotty sniffs.
Christian's hand splayed over his back and rubbed slowly. “I should have known you were in your zone, Jared. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done or said what I did. You know you're far more precious than ten minutes novelty, don't you?”
Jared's breath caught in shock, and his tears stopped for a few seconds, before they restarted with a vengeance. “I'm broken and a failure and Master can't get a refund. It's been a week since my surgery. He couldn't use me, and he didn't need me. He wouldn't speak to me at the party, and I don't know what I did wrong.” The words were out before Jared could stop them.
Christian tensed, and then sighed. He pulled Jared closer. His arms were warm, his hair soft and tickly, and he smelled of alpha, sandalwood and lime.
"You want to know a secret, Jared? And I'll trust you never to tell. We alphas don't need any of you. We can live our lives without you. We could do our own chores. We can work through our stupid aggression with a lot of exercise, and a little therapy. Jensen could live without you, and he managed alone, for a while, when he returned from Europe.”
Jared's heart broke a little more, but Christian continued, “The truth is, that Jensen wants you. Alphas want the last tenuous link that we have to our humanity. We crave it, become addicted to it, yet resent it and punish you for it, because there is one thing that we will never be able to cut out of your hearts and transplant into our own.”
Jared sniffed and raised his head to look at Master Christian in utter surprise.
"Your soul, Jared,” he clarified, “A capacity for unconditional love, forgiveness, irrational hate, a passion for life and fear of death. When we own you, we experience just a fraction of it, second hand...”
Christian bent to speak in Jared's ear, and the alpha's eyes shone, “...and it is exhilarating...but there can be more. We can procreate with other alphas, be comfortable with their habits and happy living with them, but, sometimes, rarely, with the right human and natural chemistry...there can be more. We discover we can love, in our selfish way. It makes us need you, more than food or shelter. Even while we want to tear every strip of skin from you, to bleed every last drop of your blood, it opens us up. We crack, and we feel, and we care. It's dangerous in our society, as scary as fuck, and it makes us vulnerable, but we will do anything to keep the feeling, and keep it a secret.”
Christian pulled back and continued the slow rub of Jared's back. Jared's eyebrows knotted as he wondered about Christian's secret. There was something in the way the alpha spoke that was uncharacteristically personal.
Christian only paused for breath. “Of course you're broken, Jared. We keep you because you are broken. You've been broken since before you can recall, and the cracks were deliberate, because we like to tease them open, to make them bleed your soul and suffering. Right now, you're cracked wide open, and I can't help the kick it gives me. I wish it didn't give me satisfaction, but I won't lie, it does.”
A lithe slave in tight jeans and a low cut t-shirt slipped quietly into the room and knelt, waiting for instructions. Christian nodded to acknowledge her presence, then continued to speak to Jared, rocking him in his arms.
"You must know what is between you and Jensen. It's not what he's had with any other slave or pet. You have chemistry. I know he cares, and I know he won't let you go easily, but it will seem to him like every alpha in the room can sense it, unless there is distance between you.”
"And you. You think everyone will see if you cry, because you're human and you care enough to notice these things, but we don't, not if we're not looking for a reason to judge or hurt you. Nobody important saw you fail tonight. Jensen doesn't have to restore his reputation. You will take a punishment, and he will carry right on loving you.”
Jared didn't know what to think. The words 'loving you' sunk in and his chest heaved. His sobs gained renewed vigor, and he buried his head into Christian's shoulder, and let himself be rocked.
Christian petted him as he spoke to his own slave, “Theresa, get the shower running, make sure there is plenty of guest soap and some soft towels. Jared is going to have a good cry, and take a hot shower.”
Jared didn't have the will to argue. Theresa silently obeyed her Master.
He didn't know how long he cried. Only that Christian held him throughout, and Theresa came to sit with them, one hand in her Master's, the other smoothing Jared's forehead. He wondered if she had ever cried similar tears in Christian's arms.
Christian seemed to sense his curiosity. “Theresa is mute. Her breeder took her voice. She was a bed slave with a hotel agency.” His eyes glinted with pride, “High class, well trained, and beautiful, and I wanted her the first time I hired her. I went to her owner and bargained a price for her. It almost bankrupted me. You wonder about everything I told you, and your guess is right. Loving her is the toughest thing I have ever done.”
Theresa smiled. She dipped in to kiss her Master, and he welcomed it.
When they pulled apart, Christian spoke again, “You know I shouldn't be telling you any of this, but I saw Jensen's face when he discovered you. His attraction to you was instant, and I warned him about the dangers, but he didn't listen, and I knew he wouldn't. He lacks social skills, and he doesn't engineer situations to his advantage. No doubt he is down there right now, worried about you, cornered by the most obnoxious alpha, and unable to extricate himself from their company.”
Jared frowned. He should have been by his Master's side supporting him, not performing as a silent decoration.
"You need to try harder, Jared. You still don't talk to him about important things. You have to tell him when you need to hurt and cry, and when it is too much. Let him crack you open safely, in private, before a crisis. He probably believed he was doing the right thing by giving you a break from discipline after your modifications, but God knows, he should have taken your pain. I hear that Genevieve had to deal with a bunny massacre these last few days.”
Jared chuckled weakly, and sniffed. All Jensen's slaves had noticed his killing spree, Gen was fed up with cooking the results, and they would be eating rabbit stew for weeks.
"Tell me what bothered you at the party. Was it being used the way you were? Is it the changes the vet recommended? I heard you hate wearing clothes.” The alpha pressed on, with a hint of command for Jared to answer the questions.
Jared was too weary to resist. “I don't know. Clothes are strange; they cling and choke me, but I don't mind really. The Table is a show pose. It was good to be naked and useful. I've performed it often, and I think I looked pretty, but I ached, and Master Jensen was away from me so long when others were touching. Then, your offer confused me, and I didn't know how to answer.”
“And after that?”
Jared's eyes clouded with tears again. He didn't want to remember.
Christian answered for him, “The cracks got too wide, and it all came tumbling out, huh?”
Jared nodded and sniffed. Christian released him from his hug and pushed him up.
“Have a shower, Jared. Use the red shower gel and shampoo. It's the brand that Jensen uses. The scent might help to calm you. Theresa uses mine when I am away from her, and she swears it helps.”
Jared sluiced rich lather from his skin, with hot water. He breathed the scent in and imagined Jensen's presence. When he was through, he allowed Theresa to dry and oil his skin. He was taken on a leash to Jensen's room where Master Christian cuffed his wrists behind his back. Jared sank to his knees, bowed his head to the floor, and awaited his punishment in a traditional pose.
Just before Master Christian left him, he called out in a wavering voice, “Sir, do you think my Master will put me out?”
Christian answered gruffly, “It's your Master's decision, Jared,” but several minutes later he returned to tie a blindfold over Jared's eyes and place a thin willow cane between his teeth. “There, I can think of many things to do with you like that, and none of them involve being put out.”
Jared was unable to thank him. He heard the door shut and waited in the dark, for his Master's punishment.
--> part b